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Germany turned it around to go through to the second round


It's a much better showing for Spain in this WC



Messi gets his first goals in the tournament to secure 1st in the group


England just about qualify after struggles in the first 2 games!

ALL GROUPS


Group A – Mali make it through the group stages in their first World Cup appearance, knocking out the home nation and regulars Chile! (10 appearances)

Group D – Cameroon another surprise package for many playing with the belief of their 1990 team that reached the quarter finals that year (their best ever finish).


Group E – Northern Ireland appeared in the group stage for the 4th time and first since 1986! They had a 3 point and +5 goal advantage over Nigeria going into the final game against Spain. Uruguay were beaten for their worst performance in a World Cup.

England and Northern Ireland through, lovely stuff!

HEADLINES

Sweden reach the QF’s for the second consecutive WC!

The World Cup holders and strong favourites to repeat that feat lose out to Cameroon in one of the shocks of World Cup history! It’s just the 2nd time France have gone home at this stage of the tournament, the last time being 1934.
The spirit of 1990 is truly alive for Cameroon, they beat holders Argentina in the group stage of that edition, but this may go down as their greatest triumph in their countries history.


Spain lay down a marker with a big win against Italy

Messi not even risked at this round showing what belief Scaloni has in his squad.



Germany head to anther World Cup Semi Final after a hard fought victory against Portugal!

The story of the World Cup once again defy the odds and reach their best ever World Cup!
Cameroon are just one step from the final!


Football's coming home was sang around 'most' of England back in 2018, but it was ended at the Semi-Final stage. Can they go one step further this time?


Argentina reach the SF's for the first time since 2014, but they will have to face off against the Nation who has knocked them out of 3 of the last 4 WC!

It's coming home this time!

Lionel Scaloni has got big balls and he has proven that it was the right thing to do!
Messi was substituted in this one and 3/4 subs used scored in the penalty shootout.
It will be Argentina's 6th Final (First since 2014) and their last title was 1986.



England reach the final for the first time since winning it in 1966!
Although this is a huge day for England fans the applause has to go to Cameroon for what they have done for Africa in this tournament and this team will be remembered for a long time!

It has been 17 years since the last meeting between Argentina and England, the most famous of course has to be the 1986 duel with the 'Hand of God'

One more step... Come on England!

3rd Place Play-off


WELL!


We head to the Lusail Iconic Stadium for the Final time as the two remaining teams of the 2022 Qatar World Cup will take to the field at 15:00 to make history!

Argentina have waited 36 years for this trophy to return. A win would put them on 3 titles and 3rd most in World Cup History.

England have waited 56 years since their sole win in 1966!




Scaloni has managed Messi well in this tournament, which includes taking him off in close matches, including the SF penalty shootout win! He has just 2 goals so far.

Kane was the hero in the SF and he is joint top scorer on 5 goals!

The captains of both sides take to the centre of the pitch as we are just minutes away from the 22nd World Cup Final!

What a finish by the Manchester City man. You would have to say it has come out of nothing really, and must be one of England's on times in the Argentina area!



AAnndd of course the camera goes straight to Messi's reaction...

31' Penalty to Argentina!

Pickford dived the right way as unexpectedly Thiago Almada is the man who takes the shot from the spot!

33' 1-1 MESSIIIIII!!!

What a goal from the captain! He found space on the right and just powered it passed Pickford

HT

...
80, 81, 82, 83, 84...
Corner for Argentina, 8th of the match for them.

Messi will cross this one in...
It's headed on from Foyth to the back post!!!

Romeroooooooo!!!

Argentina 2-1 England

This unbelievable sport comes up with the goods once again on the grandest stage!

88'
Abraham weaves passed the defender and into Maddison... England Score!

The Argentina players surround the ref in the hope that anything they do will dismiss the goal.



Drama late on here as the VAR give it as offside and it's bloody close. (Sorry for the language you heard)

FT

Argentina lift the World Cup after nearly 4 decades of waiting!






The news break that Messi isn't retiring but heading in that direction after passing on the captaincy after the World Cup triumph!

Messi had previously been to 4 finals with the national side, 3 Copa America's (2007, 2015 and 2016) and 1 World Cup (2014). 15 and 16 were both lost on penalties against Chile, with Messi missing his in 2016.

"I have been part of the Argentina setup for many many years and this was always my aim! I saw many of my idols and teammates life this most precious trophy and I sat in awe.
When we finished 2nd last time (2014) I thought it would be my last chance get near the trophy, but this group starting with Scaloni arriving in 2018 has always worked hard as a group to be successful. I now want to give the captaincy to the next man so I can play my final games with the National side without the pressure it brings with it."

Yet more heartbreak.

2020-08-04 23:39#276828 ScottT : Yet more heartbreak.

Back to what we do best in a big game

What a match in the Madrid derby!

A huge win for Madrid wins them the Supercup and brings an end to Barcelona's historic 71 matches unbeaten in all competitions!

Barcelona were without injured Number 1 Ter Stegen and it showed. As players got tired in the 2nd half it was down to the keepers to step up and it wasn't going to be an easy task for Jaume.

Borja Fornas - We have been brilliant this season, but unbeaten runs mean nothing if you don't win silverware. I will not listen to anyone saying we didn't put everything in for the SC, as our aim here is to win everything and versus Real M we have to do everything to get over the line and win.

14/1/2023


The day that football fans never wanted to see. Messi announcing he will retire at the end of the season will bring to an end one of the most successful career's in football, and one of the best!

Messi - "I am 35 now and it feels like the right time, just after a successful World Cup to announce my decision now so I can concentrate on the remaining half of the season putting everything in to win with this club. For now is not the time to talk about this further as we have many matches to fulfill and I need to be at my best throughout.

Thank you

18/2/2023



We were 10pts clear going into El Clasico, so at this point it was do anything to remain unbeaten. A draw is not good enough for Madrid, and with the 255th clash ending in a draw, it should now be another league title wrapped up

The unbeaten run had to come to an end at some point. That isn't important though - Messi is retiring and the footballing world must say goodbye to potentially one of the greatest ever.

2020-08-07 09:57#276907 ScottT : The unbeaten run had to come to an end at some point. That isn't important though - Messi is retiring and the footballing world must say goodbye to potentially one of the greatest ever.

We steamroller most teams but come up against Madrid and really struggle
But we will live with the defeat and look forward to the final months of Leo.

March - April

Record - 25th February until 20th April - Club record 12 matches without conceding in all competitions
Atlético Madrid managed 13 (2 December 1990 to 17 March 1991)

L16


QF


Valencia really did give us a scare in the CL! Overall it was only fair that it would be decided on penalties, but that was also very stressful


What a performance for Barcelona in their 100th win in this fixture!
(256 games overall, Real M 100 wins - 416 goals, Barcelona - 412 goals)
To dominate like that just 3 days after the 120 minutes in the CDR says a lot about this team.

CL SF 1st Leg

Not the most convincing scoreline against the PL runaway leaders, but it's hard not to trust in this team with just 1 defeat all season and we really turn it on when it matters!


Liverpool look very strong again after thrashing PSG in the previous round.
The current German champions Leverkusen continue to shock Europe, and in reaching this stage by beating Bayern previously have surpassed all expectation.

An important second-leg ahead. Man City will fancy their chances with an away goal in their possession despite trailing.